Gameweek 7 Review – Captivating Cazorla

October 9, 2012 ★

Cazorla was excellent again for Arsenal, capping off his performance with a delicious strike.

Musings from Gameweek 7

Cazorla = Hoddle?

Cazorla is proving to be a reliable source of Fantasy points. With Giroud and Walcott putting in excellent displays against West Ham Gervinho’s position is under threat and Podolski is perhaps more likely to be rotated. But Cazorla is Arsenal’s focal point of attack and will play.

The stats back up his claim and are promising for Fantasy managers. He is sixth in total shots (19), second in chances created (26), and is fifth in total passes (501) showing his overall contribution to Arsenal.

Fletcher Fails to Score

Fletcher finally failed to score since his transfer to Sunderland. Despite failing to score this was one of his best games, statistically at least. He registered four shots, with three on target, both his highest tally in his five games for Sunderland.

Strangely enough, these numbers indicate that he should do better whereas his numbers in his former four games indicated that he should be returning fewer Fantasy points than he had.

His shot conversion reads 100%, 100%, 50%, 50%, and 0%; a strange set of numbers. I find it likely that an arithmetic mean of the latter three are closer to his end of season conversion.

The conclusion?

He’s a great finisher that will regress to a more reasonable conversion percentage and thus return fewer Fantasy points than his first four games indicate but more than his game against City.

Van Persie Quiet

Van Persie was kept quiet against Newcastle, mustering only a single shot and creating three chances. It’s not a horrible return, but for £13.5 he should be offering more. It’s likely only a single underperforming game but the value vs. points debate is one to keep in mind for Van Persie.

What he has offered is the most consistent Fantasy returns and as such is always a great captain’s pick. However, if he has more games like against Newcastle, statistically speaking, his price is just too steep.

And that is before we start talking of potential rotation.

Don’t be Seduced by Fonte

Despite his brace this Gameweek, Fonte is not likely to return many attacking Fantasy points this season.

Before the game against Fulham he had three shots, no shots on target, and a single chance created in six games. Add Southampton’s defensive frailties to the mix and Fonte is not a player we should be considering.

Suarez Disappoints

Suarez is a frustrating Fantasy player. Despite adding four shots and two chances created to this season total against Stoke, he failed to register Fantasy points.

After last Gameweek’s fantastic return he was bound to be many a Fantasy manager’s disappointing captain.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom as we have to take into account Stoke’s fantastic defensive displays this season. They have only conceded five goals, conceding at most a single goal against the likes of Arsenal, City, Chelsea, and Liverpool.

Clean Manchester

Both Manchester clubs kept their first clean sheet of the season. In both cases the managers had spoken of the need to put more focus on the defense.

Ferguson lined up with a midfield triangle to battle the supply from Newcastle’s midfield to their potent attackers.

City welcomed Barry back to the defensive midfielder role and he, alongside Milner, produced a solid display.

City will keep more clean sheets and United are likely too, although their injury list is problematic.

Whether their defenders will live up the added cost compared to most team is arguable but at least Rafael, Zabaleta, and possibly Richards offer impressive attacking potential alongside likely clean sheets.

Keep an Eye Out for Taraabt

Taraabt’s two goals in two games can’t have done harm to his claim to a place in the first team. Mark Hughes must have taken notice and could hand him his third start of the season at home against Everton next Gameweek.

After Everton, QPR face Arsenal at home so there is no need to invest in the tricky Moroccan until at Gameweek 10. But keep an eye out for him in the next two Gameweeks to see if his bargain price (£5.5) is one to consider.

Watch Out for Aguero and Rooney – Edition 2.0

I mentioned both players in last Gameweek’s review and they proved their worth this Gameweek.

Despite playing in midfield Rooney provided two assists and could be transitioning to a playmaker with an added goal threat. His price is prohibitive, however, so he is one to monitor for the time being.

Aguero, however, is a pick to rival Van Persie in his consistency, especially at home. City’s next six fixtures are tempting (wba, SWA, wha, TOT, ASV, wig), and Aguero is an excellent captain’s choice in his home games, at least.

Gameweek 7 Captain Picks

I’m documenting whether I’m passing the test with my captain picks. If a captain pick scores over three points in the Gameweek it is considered a success and I am also noting double digit Gameweek scores.

In the Friday Foreplay for Gameweek 7 I recommended Bale, Mata, and Aguero as the captain picks. Bale didn’t deliver, despite registering five shots (two on target and one hitting the post) and two chances created. Mata, however, had two assists and Aguero scored minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Quality of captain picks:

Good captain picks: 11/21

Double digit captains: 3/21

Comments

Aguero is a must if fantasy managers can afford him. The dilemma most will face is whether selling RVP (or another top striker like Torres) to fund Aguero will be worth the difference in points….and whether they’ll be able to afford to sign RVP again if they want to. I’m sticking with Van Persie for now, but hope Aguero doesn’t make me eat my words!!!